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Yard Sale among new twists for upcoming TwinsFest

MINNEAPOLIS -- With TwinsFest moving to Target Field for the first time next weekend, the Twins are set to host several all new events and activities, including the organization's first Yard Sale.

TwinsFest, which was first launched in 1989, was regularly held at the Metrodome, but with the dome officially closing its doors in 2013, the Twins are hosting the event at Target Field from Jan. 24-26. The Twins announced that Saturday, Jan. 25, is officially sold out, but tickets remain for both Friday and Sunday.

The inaugural Twins Yard Sale is one of the most anticipated new features at TwinsFest, as it will allow fans to purchase memorabilia from the club on a first-come, first-serve basis starting on Friday at 4 p.m. CT in the Legends Club.

"With Target Field hosting TwinsFest for the first time, we wanted to bring new elements to the event while keeping the main focuses such as player autographs, player photos and the card show and everything in the past that made it such a great event," said Andrew Heydt, the Twins' coordinator of player relations and media service. "But we wanted to include new events to showcase Target Field, our organization and the players. And the Yard Sale is one of our new elements."

Items at the Yard Sale will range from $1 to $175, and all proceeds will benefit the Twins Community Fund.

Promotional items will range from $1 to $5, while bobbleheads and autographed baseballs will range from $10 to $25. Autographed and non-authenticated game-used bats will also be on sale for $50 to $75, while official team-issued jerseys, many of which were game worn, will range from $50 to $150.

There are other unique items for sale such as catcher's gear, artwork, publications, game-used items and wood from the visiting dugout bench. Items will be priced with color-coded stickers, and the Twins will accept cash or credit card.

"We want to let the fans have the opportunity to take home things our organization has collected over our 53-year existence," Heydt said. "Whether it be publications, promotional items, game-used items, team-issued items or former player autographs, we just want let the fans be able to purchase them at affordable prices."

The Yard Sale is just one new experience for fans at TwinsFest, as the Twins will also offer clubhouse tours, a chance to hit in the batting cages, interactive games with Twins players and even a "White Glove" tour hosted by team curator Clyde Doepner.

The "White Glove" tour will allow fans to go through the Twins Archive Room to learn the club's process for archiving and restoring items with a chance to see rare items such as Kirby Puckett's 1991 Gold Glove Award. Tours are $25 and limited to 10 people and last approximately 30 minutes.

In addition to the popular player autograph and photo sessions, there will be more than 100 player interactive opportunities throughout the three-day event. Activities with players will include Pop-A-Shot, baseball-themed Basebowling, Down on the Farm Bean Bag Toss, Home Run Derby on Playstation's MLB 13 The Show video game, T-Mobile Call-A-Friend, Reading With TC, interactive bingo, Twins Fan Feud and player Q&As.

"The move to Target Field has been a huge exercise, because it was held so many years in the Metrodome and people know how to navigate the dome, but TwinsFest at Target Field will be held in spots most Twins fans have never been able to access," said Kevin Smith, the Twins' senior director of corporate communications and broadcasting. "Areas such as the Legends Club, press box, clubhouse and even the service level will be open to fans. So not only will we have unique experiences such as the Yard Sale and the player interactions, but just to get to those places will be a unique experience."

TwinsFest will still include the region's largest sports memorabilia and collector's show, while adding increased player involvement. Tickets remain available for Friday and Sunday, and are $20 for adults and $10 for children 14 and under.

"We wanted to experiment this year with TwinsFest," Smith said. "It could be the place we hold TwinsFest forever, and it might not be. But until we get the thousands of people to come and navigate the building, we won't know. But personally, I think it's cool you can come in on a cold January weekend and access Target Field and see things you've never seen before and have the opportunity to bring home some memorabilia with you."